Thailand Travel Guide

Thailand Travel GuideAs Thailand enters the 21st century, the exotic wonders that have made this country a popular global destination will continue to play a major role in the Thai tourism industry. The enormous success of the Amazing Thailand 1998-1999 campaign has encouraged the Tourism Authorities to continue with the Amazing theme to highlight what Thailand has to offer to the world.

Thailand Country update

As Thailand enters the 21st century, the exotic wonders that have made this country a popular global destination will continue to play a major role in the Thai tourism industry. The enormous success of the Amazing Thailand 1998-1999 campaign has encouraged the Tourism Authorities to continue with the Amazing theme to highlight what Thailand has to offer to the world.

Besides the tropical lush jungles and white sandy beaches, the savory tastes of delectable cuisine and value-for money shopping bargains, Thailand also has numerous annual festivals and major events which have originated from its history, traditions and culture. These events will give tourists ' Thai and foreign ' more exciting choices when selecting a destination for their holiday. The most colorful festivals are the Songkran Water Festival, held on April 13-15 each year, the Elephant Roundup in Surin held in mid of November and the Loy Krathong Candle Light Festival, held on fullmoon during November. For further details, please look up http://www.tatnews.org/

Thailand continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Access to Bangkok is easy from most parts of the world through major airlines. Many international flights now serve secondary destinations like Phuket, Krabi, Samui and Chiang Mai directly. Thailand is extremely popular because of its offering excellent value for money, not only for accommodation and food, but also for shopping, entertainment, domestic travel, etc., and because of its friendly people and the generally high standard of services.

Nowadays, travelling around Bangkok has become more and more convenient, particularly with the foreign tourists now being able to do sightseeing or pay a visit to the weekend market or shopping by the comfort of the air-conditioned Skytrain and Subway rail systems. The traffic jams in Bangkok have been greatly reduced, thanks to new highways, flyovers as well as the new mass transit system.

The country is absolutely safe and domestic travels by bus, train and air are easily available. Self-drive arrangements have become increasingly popular, particularly in the north, northeast and south of the country. Asian Trails now offer many self-drive packages with prebooked accommodation.

A Taste of Thailand

Thailand offers travelers a wider diversity of things to see and to than any other country in Asia. The visitor is spoiled for choice when planning a vacation in Thailand, which is where Asian Trails comes into the picture.

Asian Trails is pleased to present a most comprehensive selection of inclusive packages, or tailor-made itineraries, exactly suited to the tastes and budget of each client.

Thailand's landscape range from rugged forested hills in the far north, peopled by colorful hill-tribe folk, to the exquisite beaches of the far south. The Kingdom's long history has inspired a unique culture and created some of Asia's most spectacular monuments a glittering temples and ruins of ancient cities.

Visitors can experience the very best Thailand has to offer ' either in Asian Trails' competitively priced six-day Classic tour covering major highlights throughout the Kingdom, or in tailor-made itineraries designed to give individual travelers a truly in-depth experience.

An Asian Trails tour plan can include major sightseeing attractions but will also take the adventurous visitor to off-the-beaten-track destinations.

None knows Thailand better than the experienced and dedicated staff of Asian Trails.

Twelve Most Asked Questions

WHAT IS NEW? WHAT IS NOT NEW?
On 25 March 2007 the Thai government reopened Don Muang Airport (DMK) as Bangkok's second domestic airport. THAI (TG) is using Don Muang Airport for its domestic flights from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Pitsanuloke, Surat Thani, and Hat Yai, as well as selected flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Krabi. NOK AIR and ONE-TWO GO are also operating their domestic flights from Don Muang Airport. Passengers have to book their connecting flights to/ex Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in order to avoid long (1-1.5 hrs) overland transfers between the two airports. In addition, Don Muang Airport is servicing General Aviation, State Aircrafts, Military Aircrafts, Government Aircrafts, Technical Landings and Pure Charter Flights.

Suvarnabhumi, the Bangkok International Airport, serves commercial flights, giving new impetus to the role of Bangkok and Thailand as the aviation hub of Asia. The Suvarnabhumi Airport is targeted to handle 60 million passengers in 2007. The entire airport occupies a total area of 8,000 acres, making it five times larger than the Don Muang Airport. At 563,000 square meters, the passenger terminal is the world's largest single building structure. Roughly 30 kms east of downtown Bangkok, the travel time by road is around 40 minutes. There are number of roads all around the airport to boost accessibility from various sides and this makes travel to the new airport easier and quicker. In addition, there is construction going on of a 28-km overhead rail link between downtown Bangkok and the new airport for a journey only 15 minutes, which is supposed to open in late 2008.

What's not new is the fact that Thailand continues to be extremely popular with tourists worldwide due to a combination of easy accessibility, excellent hotels, interesting tours, good food, friendly service, excellent shopping, and all at most attractive prices.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?
The best time to visit Thailand is from November to March when temperatures are relatively low (18-30?c) and when there is practically no rain. There is sunshine all over Thailand, year round, with the hottest month being May, followed by the 'greenâ¬ season, with higher humidity (60-90%) and occasional rains lasting from June to October.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL? ARE THERE PLACES TO AVOID?
Thailand is one of the safest countries worldwide and it's absolutely safe to travel to any parts of the country, also for women travelers. Places to avoid are unlicensed jewelry shops selling fake merchandise at exorbitant prices. Thailand has remained SARS free even during the crisis in some of its neighboring countries.

DO'S AND DON'T'S ?
Though tap water is generally safe for drinking, we recommend drinking bottled water only. Bottled water is easily available throughout Thailand. Food is generally o.k. to eat even at traditional food stalls anywhere in Thailand. Please guard against sunburn and dehydration, as the tropical heat is much stronger than it seems.

WHAT MONEY SHOULD I TAKE?
Western currencies and traveler cheques are easily accepted at moneychangers and banks throughout the country. ATM's are found even in small towns. It is advisable, however, to carry along local currency in small denomination (20, 50 and 100 Baht notes)

WHAT ARE THE VISA REQUIREMENTS AND CUSTOM FORMALITIES?
Thailand allows visa free stays up to 30 days to many foreign nationals, but all visitors entering Thailand must be in possession of a valid passport. Only occasional checks are made by customs for tourists choosing the 'green channelâ¬.

WHAT LANGUAGE WILL THEY UNDERSTAND?
English is spoken at all hotels, major restaurants and shops. Asian Trails provide guides in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese languages to foreign visitors requiring assistance. Road signs are written in both Thai and English throughout the country, with few exceptions.

HOW ABOUT MY HEALTH?
Thailand requires no vaccinations from foreign visitors and the standard of hygiene is high throughout the country. Visitors from SARS regions will be checked on arrival by medical staff and issued a health passport.

WHAT FOOD WILL I FIND?
Most Thai dishes are based on rice, with a large variety of meats, fish, vegetables and fruits. Thai food is good, perhaps a little too piquant for foreign palates, but worth trying. Thai food served in your hotel is usually toned down a bit due to the sensitive stomach of most tourists, but nevertheless, it is delicious and you should try it. International food of any kind is found in all major Thai tourist resorts.

HOW THE SHOPPING IS AND WHAT DO I TIP?
SHOPPING: In the wake of unprecedented economic growth, Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia's most popular shopping centers. With a host of department stores, smart plazas, and exclusive shops, Bangkok has now joined Singapore and Hong Kong as a Mecca for the dedicated shoppers.

TIPPING:
It is not necessary to tip cinema ushers. It is customary to tip porters and hotel personnel who have given good personal service. A 10 to 15 per cent tip is appreciated in restaurants where service charge is waived. Please leave only a small tip in major restaurants where service charge of 10% is already added to the bill.

IMPORTANT BEWARES:
Bangkok as well as other large cities in the world is confronted with the problem of touts. Should you get a telephone call offering you a free tour, be very careful! It is usually someone's intention to seduce you into doing expensive shopping or pay a high price for other tour arrangements. It is a fact of life that nothing is free of charge, especially if offered by a stranger. Our advice thus â¬ stay away from them! For further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us: ASIAN TRAILS, Operations Department, telephone no. (66) 2626-2074 from 07.00-21.00 hours daily, to help you to double-check your arrangements. Also, if you receive a call for amending departure time of tours, etc., you are kindly requested to double check with us. All Asian Trails guides wear uniforms (white or khaki polo shirts with ASIAN TRAILS Logo stitched on it, together with khaki skirts or trousers). Keep a healthy portion of mistrust also against strangers approaching you while walking through entertainment areas. However, despite these warnings there is no need to be anxious, touts are quite harmless, so just smile and walk on. All in all take care but be not afraid.

Thailand Travel Tips

CLIMATE
Hot Season: March to May
Rainy Season: June to October
Cool Season: November to February

The average temperature in Bangkok ranges from 17 Celsius in December to 36 Celsius in April.

SHOPPING
Thai silk and cotton are well known. Niello and silverware are attractive and reasonably priced as is bronze-ware. Teakwood carvings and bowls make attractive gifts. Thailand is famous for good buys in precious and semi-precious stones, sapphires, rubies, zircons, pearls, leather products, etc.

AIRPORT TAX
Baht 700.- per outgoing passengers on international flights. (Subject to include in the airticket)

Baht 100.- per outgoing passengers on domestic flights. (Subject to include in the airticket)

Thailand General information & conditions

RESERVATIONS
All services should be booked through our Bangkok office.

CONFIRMATIONS
All reservation requests are normally confirmed by return and in case immediate confirmation is not possible principals will be informed of the booking status.

RATES
All rates are quoted nett (inclusive of 7% VAT) to Travel Agents in US Dollars at current rates of exchange, Taxes (VAT, Airport taxes, etc.) as well as rates of exchange are subject to change. Invoices will show VAT separately; invoiced amount plus VAT will be equal to nett rates listed herein.

CHILD POLICY
Children between 2 and 12 years old are granted a 30% discount on transfers, excursions and package tours provided that they share room with adults and no extra-bed. A maximum of two children per party is granted for such discounts. Children requiring their own rooms are charged as adults, but will be granted a 25% discount on applicable airfares.

PAYMENT
Full prepayment by bank transfer is required two weeks before commencement of services, with all bank transfers charges/fees to be paid by clients. Our bank Account details are:

LIABILITY
Asian Trails Ltd. acts as intermediary between the concerned airlines, hotels, all transport operators and local tourist offices providing the services. Asian Trails Ltd. is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury or damage sustained by the tourists, including those occurring outside the touring programs. Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accidents, natural and disaster, political actions and unrest must be borne by the tourists. Programs and prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of printing and are therefore subject to change without advance notice before or during the tour. Participation in our tours implies the tourists' agreement to the above conditions.